Measuring instrument



Dec. 17, 1940. l y w. A. Kr-:LsEY 2,225,500

MEASURING INSTRUMENT Filed July 5l, 1940 2 Sheets-Sheet l wwemw Avv-ORNE Ys Dec. 17, 1940. w. A. KELsEY 2,225,500

MEASURING INSTRUMENT Filed July 5l, 194() -2 Sheel.S-Shee1l 2 43 .i\ 581 57 s?" I 4o A? 3g Vli' 62 z .l 6 l 3 Zi S n l r l /a To 34g!! 3o 42 'A sf// zT/@5, aging i V l-n ny :nh

/x/ENTOE Vl//LL/AMA. HEL `s fEY Wwe @Mv )www A7- -roeNE Y6' Patented Dec. 17, 1940 UNITEDr STATES PATENT 4OFFICE:

21 Claims.

This invention relates to measuring instruments and more particularly to instruments for measuring the height or depth of surfaces above or below a plane of reference.

It has been discovered that standard machinists scales now available on the market are capa- .ble of providing measurements of an extremely high degree of accuracy if. properly utilized. Heretofore, such scales have been provided merely with a vernier arrangement and as thus provided, the highest degree of accuracy of the scale is not completely utilized.

In the apparatus of the present invention, the measuring instrument included a standard machinists scale of the type now commonly available, and by appropriately utilizing the configuration of .the scale markings, provides a means of measurement which is capable of accuracy to within one ten-thousandths of an inch. l

It is accordingly an object of the invention lto provide an improved measuring instrument, and more particularly, to provide an improved height and depth gauge.

It is a further object of the invention to provide an improved measuring instrumen-t utilizing a standard machinists' scale of the type in which the graduation lines are etched or otherwise formed as ,intaglio grooves in the surface of the scale.

It is a further object of the invention to provide in such a measuring instrument a micrometer scale 4device capable of being` read accurately and quickly and to provide not only a height mea-surement for top or bottom surfaces, but also -to provide means whereby distances below a plane of reference may be determinedaccurately.

It is a further object of the invention to provide an improved apparatus in which an accurate adjustment micrometer measuring instrument may be indexed as a Whole along a standard machinists scale, and 4to provide further indexing means capable of selecting either the measurement units of the scale or fractional measurement units of .the scale, selectively.r

It is likewise an object of the invention to provide an improved measuring instrument capable of being manufactured at low cost and capable of being applied to a variety of standard machinists scales and under all conditions of providing accurate measurements. It is likewise an object of the invention to provide a measuring instrument in which all of the parts are held in contact with each other under uniform pressure f thereby obviating the effects of lost motion.

These and other objects of the invention are those inherent and implied by. the apparatus herein illustrated, described and claimed.

The invention is illustrated with reference to the drawings in which Figure 1 is a side elevational view partly in sec- 5 tion of the invention.`

- Figure 2 is a fragmentarysectional View taken along the line 2 2 of'Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a side elevational view partly in section of a fragment ofthe apparatus shown in 10 Figure 2.

Figure 4 is `a fragmentary sectional view taken along the lines 4-4 of Figure 1.

Figure 5 is a fragmentary elevational view of the apparatus shown in Figure 1 taken in the 15 direction of arrows 5-5 of Figure l.-

Figure 6 'is a sectional view taken along the lines 6-6 of Figure 1.

Figure 7 is a fragmentary sectional view taken along the lines |-'I of Figure 1. 20

Figure 8 is a. fragmentary elevational view of a portion only of the apparatus shown in Figure 1, certain of the parts being removed.

Figure 9 is an isometric view of one ofthe parts of the apparatus of the present invention.

Figure 10 is a fragmentary cross sectional view taken along the line IU-Ili of Figure 1, and

Figure l1 is a fragmentary cross sectional view taken along the line II-I I of Figure-i.

Throughout the drawings, corresponding parts are designated by the same numerals.

In the measuring instrument of the present invention, there is a `standard machinists scale utilized, as the basic medium of. measurement. According to presentmanufacturing procedures, such scales consist of a steel blank having a thickness of about one-tenth to one-eighth of an inch, a width of approximately one inch, and a length ranging from six inches to several feet or more. A scale of this type is shown in the drawings, being generally designated I0.

Throughout the length of the scale Ill, there is milled or otherwise formed a groove II, which is utilized for the purpose of attaching a combination angle vand square, generally designated I5, which are supplied as standard equipment with the scale. The member I5 is equipped with a clamping screw I6, which has -a part received into the groove I'I such that when the nut I6 is turned, it will drawthe member I5 into contact 50 with the edge I'I of the scale thereby holding member I5` in deiinite relationship with reference -to the scale.. The member I5 is usually provided with a surface I8, which may be at 45 degrees with rreference to the surface I6, and when the block is clamped onto the scale, the surface I9 is at 90 degrees to the edge surfaces I1 and 20 of the scale. The member I5 accordingly serves as a base for holding the scale in a vertical position upon a reference plane R, and as a means for laying out 45 and 90 lines.

For the purpose of the present invention, it is also desirable to provide a stabilizing bar I2, which is clamped to the scale I0 in any suitable manner, the bar I2 and the member I5 thus forming a stable base for the instrument.

As presently manufactured, standard machinists scales, such as that shown at I0, are provided with a plurality of graduation lines usually including inch marks 2I, one-half inch marks 22, one-quarter inch marks 23, and one-eighth inch marks'24. The complete length or merely a portion of the scale may likewise be provided with one-sixteenth inch graduations and occasionally with one thirty-second Vinch markings. The inch markings 2I are of maximum length, and the one-half inch, one-fourth inch, oneeighth inch and one-sixteenth inch and one thirty-second inch markings are of successively shorter lengths and extending inwardly from opposite edges of the scale.

Each of the markings on the scale appears as a fine narrow line, but in reality the scale markings are grooves which are formed in the surface of the scale.

The usual method of forming the groove is by an etching procedure, and as a result, the groove has a steep side wall and is of appreciable depth. It has lbeen discovered that the side walls of the groove are usually accurate to within one ten-thousandth of an inch and this accuracy is utilized in the present invention. In Figure 4, the scale markings are illustrated in greatly exaggerated cross section for purposes of 40 discussion. The actual depth of the markings is very slight, but are nevertheless of definite cross sectional shape.

|Ihe apparatus of the present invention further includes an index member, generally desig- 45 nated 38, which is preferably made of a solid block of metal several times as thick as the scale with which it is used. The index member is milled across at one end to provide a groove 3I having side walls 32 and 33 of a width to ac- 50 commodate the widest type of standard scale with which the instrument is adapted to be used. The groove 3I is adapted to receive the scale I0 and the scale is held in the groove by a retaining plate 34 and a retaining and index plate 35,

55 the latter being provided with a pointer 90 positioned to cooperate with the graduation lines on scale I0. In the side Wall 32 of the groove, there are provided two or more adjustment screws 31 (Figures 1 and 5), which are turned until they 60 snugly engage the edge I1 of the scale, but the screws 31 are not drawn down so tightly as to bind the index member 30 against movement on the scale. The adjustment screws are necessitated by the fact that scales of varying width 65 may be utilized with the same index member 30.

Within the groove 3I, there is provided an inner groove 38, which is adapted to receive a spring strip 40, the latter being attached at its lower end to the index member 30 by means of 7o screw 42, as shown in Figure 4. The strip 40 has a thin portion 40 for flexibility, and extends upwardly as shown in Figures 4 and 5 so as to terminate above the upper surface 43 of the member 30. The upwardly extending portion of 75 the strip 40 is provided with a saddle 46, which extends on both sides of the scale as shown in Figures 6 and 1l, and carries a detent blade 50. which is attached to the saddle 46 by means of screws 5I.

Blade 58 has oppositely disposed knife edges 53 and 52. The knife edges 53 and 52 of the detent 50 are of unequal length, as shown in Figures 6 and 11, the edge 52 being Just slightly shorter than the one-inch graduation lines 2I of the scale I0 with which it is used, and the knife 53 being just slightly shorter than the oneeighth inch graduations 24 of the scale I8. By loosening the screws 5I, the detent 50 may be reversed so as to present either the knife edge 52 or the knife edge 53 into contact with the scale. When the edge 52 is presented to the scale, only thev one-inch graduations will be intercepted whereas when the edge 53 is presented to the scale, the knife edge 50 will engage every oneeighth inch marking, the one-quarter inch marking, the one-half inch marking, and also the inch marking, thereby being engaged and held at every one-eighth inch of scale length.

Upon saddle 46, there is provided a screw 55 which is screwed down solidly so as to be immovable. The screw projects outwardly and carries -a clamping bar 56, which is recessed to receive the spring 51. Upon the screw, there is mounted a knurled thumb nut 58, which serves asa stop for spring 51. The clamping bar 56 is provided with pins 59 which project through the saddle 46 and against the back of scale I0.

When thumb nut 58 is screwed outwardly against the head of screw 55, the spring 51 is in the position shown in Figure 11 at which time it bears to some extent upon bar 56 and thereby exerts a slight pressure through pins 59 upon the back of scale III. This brings the knife edge 53 (or 52, as the case may be) into easy contact with the scale so as to produce a slight, though not positive detaining force between the knife edge 53 (or 52) and the scale marking grooves, as the entire unit 38 is indexed along thescale. 'I'his `slight detention action enables the operator to know when the knife edge 53 (or 52) is in the scale marking groove selected. Then the thumb nut 58 is tightened down on screw 55, thereby compressing spring 51 into the recess in clamping bar 56, until the nut 58 bears solidly in the bar 56. When this occurs, the bar 56 is moved positively towards saddle 46 and through pins 59'forces scale IIJ solidly against knife edge 53 (or 52) thereby immovably locking the knife edge (and hence index member 30) with reference to a selected scale marking line on the scale.

In Figure 4, the graduations of the scale are shown in exaggerated size in order to illustrate the manner in which the detent engages the graduation markings. The detent 50 has the cross section of a thick bluntly sharpened blade and the angularity of the opposed faces of knife edges 52 and 53 is such that the detent will engage the sides of the graduation line grooves, but preferably does not engage the bottom of the groove. In this way, the detent 50 positions itself and is restrained against lateral shifting.

Into the body of the index member 30 and adjacent the retaining plate 34, there is mounted a screw 66 upon which a. collar 6I is adapted to slide. 'I'he screw 60, it will be noted, projects into the body of the member 30, as shown in Figures 6 and 10, but the diameterof the collar 6I is such that it intercepts andbears against the edge I1 of the scale IIJ. Ihe thumb nut 62 is likewise mounted' upon the screw 60 and serves as a cross frame member 1| of the frame 16. Upon means for forcing the collar 6| toward the scale I6. The collar 6| is recessed to receive spring 63 which is normally compressed, as shown in Figure 10, and hence normally urges the collar 6| with easy pressure. against scale I6. When' the thumb nut 62 is tightly turned down, the spring is compressed into the recess in collar 6| until nut 62 bears against and moves the collar 6| to the position as shown in Figure 6, at which time it abuts solidly against the edge I1 of scale I6. This causes the scale to be clamped between the edge 33 of the groove 3|A and collar 6| thereby additionally holding the index member 36. This is desirable so as to position the member 36 accurately at right angles to the length of the scale.

At the left side of index member 36, as shown in Figure 1, there is provided a circular bore 64 and an edge groove 66 of semi-circular cross section which are adapted to receive a pair *of stout rods 66 and 61 of the frame work, generally designated 16. 'I'he frame 16 includes the rods 66 and 61, an upper cross-frame member 1| and a lower cross frame member 12.

Both the upper end and lower cross-frame members 1| and 12 are provided with holes, as illustrated in Figure 6, and the upper frame member 1| is slotted as shown at 13 and 14. Cap screws are provided for clamping the blfur cated parts of the upper cross frame members 1| so as to draw them together in clamping relationship upon the rods 66 and 61, the rods being pressed solidly into the holes of lower frame member 12.

The frame 16 is accordingly adapted to move vertically with reference to the frame 36, but in order to maintain accuracy of measurement, the movement must be restrained and the frame 16 must be maintained in accurate uniform metal to metal contact with the index member 36. In order to provide such contact, the member 36 is provided with a clamp, generally designated 66, illustrated in Figures 1, 6, 8 and 9.

The member 86 is provided with a face portion 8|, which is adapted to be held against the body of member 36 by a pair of screws 82. In the upper and lower surfaces of the member 36, there are provided grooves 83 in each of which a spring 64 is placed, the spring being adapted to bear against the upper and lower finger portions 85 of the member 86. Each of the nger portions 85 is provided with a cylindrical surface 86 of a shape so as uniformly to engage a portion of the rod 66 of the frame 16. When the clamp member 86 is initially assembled upon the index member 36, the springs 84, bearing against the nger portions 85, establish the pressure of the clamp against the rod 66. The screws 82 are then drawn down tightly and this pressure is maintained until a subsequent adjustment is necessitated by wear of the parts. In the meantime, the rod 66 is held in contact with the portion of the bore 64 opposite clamp 86 thereby maintaining an accurate metal to metal contact between the index member 36 and the frame 16, essential for accuracy of measurement.

In order to enable accurate indicated measuring movement of the frame 16 with reference to the index member 36, there is provided a micrometr screw arrangement, best illustrated in Figures 1, 2 and 3. In the left-hand portion of the index member 36, as shown in Figure 1, there is a cut-away portion 38, in which there is aligned a micrometer screw |66, the screw being solidly attached to the index member 36 and of a length such that it projects upwardly through the upper the screw |66, there are threaded two nuts |6| and |62, which are keyed together in end-to-end relationship by means of a plurality of iine teeth |63 as shown in Figure 3. 'I'he two nuts accordingly rotate together as a unit, but are capable of movement axially with respect tol each other, within the limits oi' thread clearance and as wear occurs on screw |66.

Upon the upper nut |6|, there is mounted a knurled cap |65, which is recessed to receive the ball bearing assembly |66, the stationary race of which bears against the surface of the cross frame member 1 Upon the lower nut |62, there is mounted a cylindrical barrel |68, which isfastened tothe nut |62 by means of a set screw ||6. The barrel |66 is recessed to receive a spring ||2, the upper end of the spring being seated against the ball bearing race |13, which is movable axially in the recess. The upper stationary race ||5 of the ball bearing assembly is seated against the lower surface of the cross frame member 1|.

It will thus be observed that as the spring ||2 tends to move the ball races |3 and ||5 upwardly against frame member 1 I, it also tends to force the nut |62 downwardly and accordingly tends to draw the micrometer screw |66 downwardly.

This latter force is transmitted to the upper nut |6| and through ball bearing assembly |66 to the upper surface of the cross frame member 1|. The parts are accordingly maintained under a stressed condition which obviates lost motion in the threaded parts, since as wear occurs, the spring merely moves the two nuts |6| and |62 a slight distance farther apart, this being permitted by the key teeth |63 between the nuts.

Upon the nut 62, there is journalled a cylinder I |6 of a diameter corresponding to that of cylinder |68, the cylinder ||6 being provided with an outwardly extending key H8, which projects into a key slot I9 in the index member 36, as shown in Figure 1. Therefore, as the nut |62 is rotated,

cylinder |68 is likewise rotated, but cylinder ||6 is held against rotation. A collar |26 is provided for holding the cylinder ||6 against axial movement on the nut |62. The cylinder |68 is provided with a micrometer scale |2|, while cylinder I6 is provided with a co-operating Vernier scale |22 as shown in Figure l. l

The rod 61 of frame 16 is provided with an index plate |23, which has an index edge |24 in a position so as to cooperate with scale |25 on the surface of index member 36. Accordingly, the operator can establish a reading by noting the position of the pointer 96 with reference to the scale |6, the position of edge |24 with reference to the scale |25,`and the position of the scale |2| with reference to the Vernier scale |22. This combination of scales provides readings which are accurate to one ten-thousandth of an inch.

The lower cross frame member 12 of the frame 16 has an outwardly extending portion 16, which is provided with a lower shoulder 11 against which the measuring pointer, generally designated |36, abuts. The measuring pointer |36 is provided with a scribing point |26 and an under shoulder |21 and with grooves |28 in its opposite faces thereof. Into the cross frame member, there is threaded a screw |23 upon which a thumb nut |3| is threaded to rotate. Between the thumb nut |3| and the cross frame member 16, there is a clamping plate |32 which has a portion |33 resting against the vertical face of the cross frame member 16 and an overhanging lip portion |34 engaging the upper surface oi' the cross frame member. The lower portion of the plate |32 is provided with an inwardly turned beveled edge |36. I 5 The position of the inwardly beveled edge |36 is accordingly determined by the overhanging lip |34 and as the thumb nut |3| is turned down- Wardly,.it draws the plate |32 towards the cross frame member 12 thereby simultaneously clamps the measuring pointer |30 against the cross frame member and draws it upwardly against the shoulder portionV 11. It is important that the measuring pointer |30 be drawn into engagement with the shoulder 11 inasmuch as any lack of engagement is reflected directly as an inaccuracy in the reading of the instrument.

The cross frame member 12 is likewise provided with a vertical bore 18 in which a vertical depth measuring rod, generally designated |40, is adapted to slide. ',Ihe measuring rod |40 is provided with a tightly fitted adjustment screw |4| at its lower end, and with a. knurled knob |42 at its upper end. Intermediate the ends of the rod are a plurality of grooves `|44 spaced at intervals of one inch with reference to the lower surface |45 of the adjustment screw |4I. the rod |40, the lower cross frame member 12 is provided with a clamping arrangement, generyally designated |50, best illustrated in Figure 7, comprising a cross bar |5| having a pivot screw l 52 in one end thereof. The pivot screw |52 rests in a suitable indentation |53 in the cross frame member 12. At the opposite end of the bar |5|, there is a V-headed clamp member |55, which extends into an opening |56 into engagement with the grooves |44. The cross frame member 12 is provided with a screw |51 upon which a thumb nut |58 is threaded, the thumb nut being counter-bored at |59 to receive a tensionspring 40 |60. The tension-"spring |60 normally bears resiliently against the bar |5| so as to apply an easy pressure upon theA clamping member |55 thereby `permitting restrained notching movement of rod |40 from one notch |44 to an adja- I cent notch. However when the thumb nut |58 is drawn downwardly into engagement with the member |5|, the clamping member |55 is drawn solidly into contact with grooves |44 of the rod |40, and the rod is solidly locked against axial movement. f

Where thegauge ls to be used for measurements of heights above'the reference plane R, the rod |44 is moved upwardly to a position such that the lower surface |45 of the screw |4| is drawn into the vertical bore 18 thereby exposing |0| of the micrometer mechanism. Accordingly,

when the thumb nut |66 is turned downwardly,

the collar |61 is drawn against the micrometer nut ||J| and holds the same against rotation.

In making a vertical measurement above the 70 reference plane R, the rod |44 is retracted upwardly so as to clear the lower surface of the measuring pointer |30. The thumb nuts 62 and` 50 are then loosened and the index memberv 30 may then be moved lengthwise of the scale I0 toany suitable position. Depending upon For holding the pointer 90 adjacent the scale |0 and after appropriate selection, the thumb nut 58 is tightened thereby forcing the detent knife 60 and `scale into engagement with each other so as to hold the edge 52 (or 53) of the knife ln engagement with the side walls of the selected graduation lines of the scale |0. The thumb nut 52 is then tightened down and this forces collar 6| into solid contact with the edge I1 of the scale I0 thereby squaring the index member with reterence to the scale.

"l Since the clamping member maintains the bar 66 in uniform engagement with the bore 64 of the index member, the frame 10 is likewise maintained accurately parallel with respect to the scale |0. 'I'he micrometer mechanism is then rotated by means of the knurled head |05 and screw |00, they serve accordingly to move the upper cross frame member 1| upwardly or downwardly thereby moving the entire frame 10 with reference to the index member 30. In this manner, the measuring pointer |30 may be accurately moved with reference to the index member 30, the amount of movement being ascertainable from the scale |0 and pointer 90, scale |25 and edge |24, and from the scale and Vernier |2|-|22. Since the readings of the scale I0, the scale |25 and the scale |2| are additive, accurate measurements may be made expeditiously with little chance for misreading error.

By moving the micrometer screw so as to bring the edge |24 into alignment with the zero mark on the scale 25, and the scale |2| to the zero position with reference to Vernier scale |22, and by moving the index member downwardly to a predetermined position, for example, the threeinch mark on the scale |0, the lower surface of the index pointer |30 will be brought into engagement with the reference plane R. In this manner, the accuracy of the gauge may be instantly checked. y

Where a measurement is to be made upon an undersurface, above the reference plane R, the pointer |30 is reversed so as to bring the surface |21 outwardly and upwardly. The surface |21 is ground so as to be an exact measurement, for example, fty-thousandths of an inch, above the base plate when the pointer is brought to, for example, the three-inch mark on the scale I0, and each of the other scales is in. the zero position.

When it is desired to make a measurement below the plane R of reference, the rod |40 is notched downwardly to any selected inch mark and a reading taken as described above, the reading being subtracted from the number of inches that the surface |45 of the rod |40 is below the lower surface ofthe measuring pointer |30.

In this manner, accurate height measurements above and below a reference plane may accurately be made.

Many obvious variations may be apparent to those skilled in the art and are intended to be within the scope of the invention illustrated, described and claimed.

What I claim is:

1. A measuring instrument for use with a machinists standard scale having intaglio measurement graduations and markings formed in the surface thereof, comprising a member mounted on the scale for endwise sliding movement thereon, said member including a detent for projecting into the intaglio measurement graduations whereby the member is restrained from move-- ment on the scale, and a measurement edge projecting from the member transversely of the scale.

2. A measuring instrument for use with a machinists' standard. steel scale having ,intaglio graduation lines etched in a surface thereof, comprising an index member having a measuring edge thereon, mountable for endwise indexing movement on the steel scale, and a detent mounted for movement toward and from the said surface of the scale, when the index member is mounted thereon. said detent being shaped to engage-the intaglio graduation lines on the scale.

3.A device of the type specified in claim 2 wherein the detent is a knife edge, and means are provided for forcing the knife edge toward the scale surface having graduating lines thereon, thereby to case the knife edge to seat in the intaglio dimension lines therein.

4. A device of the type set forth in claim 2 wherein the detent has a plurality of knife edges.

of different 'lengths so as to be selectively engageable with intaglio graduation lines 4of different lengths on the scale.

5.YA device of the type set forth in claim 2 characterized by having a spring connected to the index member for mounting the detent, said spring being sufliciently resilient that the detent may be released from engagement with any of the intaglio graduation lines by forceable movement of the index member on the scale.

6. A precision measuring instrument for use in conjunction with a standard machinists scale of 40 the type having as scale markings narrow intaglio transverse lines accurately spaced along a face thereof, comprising an index member having a portion for slidingly receiving the machinists 50 the scale when the index member is on the scale,

and micrometric means for moving the frame with reference to the index member.

7. A device of the type set forth in claim 6 wherein the micrometric means comprises a screw mounted on the index member and a nut mounted on the frame.

8. A, device of the type set forth in claim 6, including means for exerting uniform pressure between the index, member and the frame so as to prevent lost motion between them.

9. A device of the type set forth in claim 6 wherein the micrometric means includes a screw mounted on the index member so as to lie parallel to the scale, and the frame includes a part 65 through which the screw projects the micrometric means, also including two nuts keyed for rotation together on the same axes, one of said nuts being on one side of the frame part and the other on the other side of the frame part, and spring 70 means being on one nut and on the frame so as to obviate lost motion between the screw and the frame.

10. A precision measuring 'instrument for use in conjunction with a standard machinists scale made of stiff steel having accurately formedsnarrow intaglio scale marking lines in a face thereof an index member having a groove thereacross for slidingly receiving the scale, means including a knife edge detent mounted on the index member for engaging the narrow intaglio scale marking lines thereby to hold the index member in fixed relation to any selected marking line, means for clamping the index member with reference to the scale to hold them against displacement, and a micrometer head having a marking edge movable therewith carried by the frame.

11. A device of the type set forth in claim 10 wherein the micrometer head having the marking edge comprises a frame having spaced rods connected together at each end and mounted for movement parallel to the scale on the index member, said slider having a micrometer screw mounted thereon and projecting through a part of the frame, an operator controlled nut on the screw bearing against one surface of said frame part, and projecting toward an opposite surface, another nut keyed for movement with the operator controlled nut adjacent the'opposite surface, and spring means between the last mentioned nut and surfaces for obviating the effect of lost motion between the frame and screw.

12. A precision measuring instrument comprising two parts, one being a reference part and the other a frame part mounted for sliding movement with respect to each other, a lscrew mounted solidly on one of the parts and projecting through a portion of the other part, said portion having oppositely disposed surfaces, each in a plane at right angles to the screw, an operator controlled nut and a driven nut keyed together endwise and disposed so as to extend through said portion, one of said nuts having a shoulder bearing against one of the surfaces and ,the other having a shoulder, a spring being disposed between said shoulder and the other of said surfaces, whereby the nuts are under stress tending to force them apart, 'and the portion is held in abutment with the first w mentioned shoulder thereby obviating the effect of lost motion between the measuring instrument parts.

13. A precision measuring instrument comprising two parts,'one being a reference part,

and the other a frame part, mounted for sliding.-

movement with respect to each other, a screw mounted solidly on one of the parts and projecting through a portion of the other part, said portion having oppositely disposed surfaces each in a plane at' right angles to the screw, .an operator. controlled nut and a driven nut keyed together endwise and disposed so as to extend through said portion, one of said nuts having a shoulder bearing against one of the surfaces, an anti-friction bearing being interposed between the shoulder and the surface, and the other of the nuts having a shoulder, a spring disposed between said last mentioned shoulder and the other of said surface, an antifriction bearing being disposed therebetween, whereby the nuts are under stress tending to force them apart and the portion is held in abutment with the rst mentioned shoulder thereby obviating the effect of lost motion between the instrument parts.

14. A precision instrument of the type set forth in claim 12 further characterized by the provision of a scale on one of said parts, and an index edge cooperating with the scale and mounted for movement with the other of said parts.

' 15. A precision instrument of` the type set forth in claim 12 further characterized by having a scale on one of said parts and a cooperating index point on the other of said parts, and by having a scale on one of said nuts together with a cooperating Vernier scale movable with the other of said parts.

16. A precision instrument of the type set forth in claim 12 characterized further by the provision of a cylindrical portion having a scale thereon on one of the nuts, said nut being pro,- vided with a journal, another cylinder having a cooperating scale thereon rotatably mounted on said journal so as to move axially therewith. and key means connected to the last mentioned cylinder for holding the cylinder against rotation.

17. An instrument of the type described in claim 6 further characterized in that the measuring surface is on a rod mounted on the frame for movement parallel to the scale when the index member is thereon, said rodbeing provided with a plurality of index measuring stations, and catch means for holding the rod immovable with reference to the frame.

18. A device of the type described in claim 2 further characterized by having clamp means aligned with the detent for moving the detent" directly towards the scale without tipping.-

19. A precision measuring instrument for use with a standard machinists steel scale of the type having narrow intaglio measurement graduation lines etched into the steel, wherein each line is a deep walled groove, a knife edge, comprising means for holding the knife edge into contact with the groove, an index member slidably mounted on the scale and connected to the knife edge so as to be restrained from sliding movement when the knife edge is held in one of the measurement graduation line grooves, a frame mounted on the index member for sliding movement parallel to the scale, said frame being provided with a measurement edge. and micrometer screw means connecting the index member andthe frame for accurately moving the frame with' reference to the index member.

20. A device of the type set forth in claim 2 wherein the index member includes a pointer positioned so as to cooperate with markings on the standard machinists scale, includes a secondary index'u on the frame and a cooperating scale on the index member and the micrometer screw means includes a vernier scale.

21. A device of the type set forth in claim 2 wherein means are provided for exerting pressure between the index member and the scale, between the index member and the frame, and between the frame, the micrometer screw means and the index member for holding the parts in 

